Is a Neck Lift Painful?

Most patients describe the recovery from a neck lift as more uncomfortable than painful. During surgery, you’ll be under anesthesia so that you won’t feel anything at all. In the days that follow, you may experience tightness, tende ess, and mild soreness in the treated area, especially when tu ing your head or speaking, but pain is typically well-managed with prescribed medications and cool compresses. Some numbness or tingling near the incisions is also common early on and fades as your nerves heal.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You can expect a series of appointments that support you before, during, and after your surgery. Most patients will have: One in-depth consultation to discuss goals, medical history, and surgical recommendations A pre-op appointment to review logistics, sign consents, take pre-operative photographs, and answer last-minute questions The surgery itself Several post-op check-ins over the weeks and months that follow. These visits allow Dr. Daly to monitor your healing, remove any necessary sutures, and ensure you love your results.

How Long Until I See Results?

You’ll likely notice a difference in your neck contour within the first few weeks, but your final results will gradually come into focus over a few months as swelling fully subsides and the tissues settle. Most patients feel photo-ready around the 6- to 8-week mark, with optimal results typically appearing by the 4- to 6-month point. What’s especially rewarding about a neck lift is how naturally the changes unfold—you won’t look “done,” just refreshed and more defined. And because Dr. Daly focuses on subtle sculpting rather than dramatic overcorrection, your results will age gracefully alongside you.

Can I Combine a Neck Lift With Other Procedures?

Common pairings include a chin implant (to improve jawline projection), a facelift to address loose or aging skin of the face, or even a brow lift or eyelid surgery for full facial rejuvenation. In some cases, injectable treatments like dermal fillers or wrinkle relaxers are added post-operatively for subtle refinement. Dr. Daly will guide you through all your options and provide recommendations tailored to your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Neck Lift?

When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Daly, complications are rare and generally minimal. Possible risks include infection, scarring, hematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin), nerve injury, or prolonged swelling. In rare cases, temporary or permanent numbness in the neck can occur. Dr. Daly will review all safety considerations with you beforehand and provide you with practical instructions for a smooth recovery at home, allowing you to focus less on worry and more on your healing.

Sacramento, CA

Neck Lift

Introduction to Neck Lift

Sometimes, the first signs of aging don’t show up where you expect them. While much attention is often given to the face, the neck can quietly reveal sagging skin, vertical banding, or a loss of contour that noticeably ages you. A neck lift offers a refined, natural-looking solution, tightening loose skin, redefining the jawline, and restoring elegant angles that create a smooth, lifted appearance from chin to collarbone. At Dr. Lauren Daly’s Sacramento area practice, neck lift surgery highlights your unique features without overcorrection or harsh changes, as this procedure can create subtle yet striking improvements.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens and refines the skin and muscles of the neck while reducing excess fat and laxity. It focuses specifically on the area beneath the chin, along the jawline, and down to the base of the neck, often addressing issues such as sagging skin, vertical banding, and accumulated fat that can create a “double chin” or an aged appearance. The goal of the procedure isn’t to change the way you look; it’s to help your features appear refreshed, sculpted, and well-proportioned, as though the clock has been gently tu ed back.

A woman with short, tousled dark brown hair is shown from the mid-chest up, wearing a loose, off-white button-down shirt with the top buttons undone, exposing her shoulders. Her eyes are closed and her expression is calm. The background is a plain light beige or gray, softly lit to create an ethereal feel. - Neck Lift in Folsom, CA

What’s the First Step?

The first step is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Daly at her Folsom office, where you’ll have the space to talk openly about what’s been bothering you, from skin laxity to lack of definition beneath the chin. She’ll examine the structure of your neck and jawline, review your medical history, and walk you through all your options so you can feel informed and confident about what comes next. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Dr. Daly focuses on understanding what you want to improve and why. That insight shapes her surgical approach, helping ensure the final result enhances, not alters, your natural beauty.

What to Expect on the Day of Neck Lift Surgery

On the day of surgery, you’ll arrive at the surgical center feeling prepared, supported, and fully briefed on the process ahead. Neck lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and whether other procedures are being performed simultaneously. Dr. Daly’s incisions are usually hidden under the chin and/or behind the ears to reposition underlying muscles, remove excess fat, and smooth the skin for a more sculpted contour. After the procedure, you’ll spend a short time in recovery before heading home with detailed aftercare instructions and guidance for a smooth healing experience.

Recuperation & Healing

Neck Lift Recovery

Most patients require approximately 7-14 days of downtime following a neck lift, with visible swelling and bruising gradually subsiding over the first one to two weeks. A supportive compression garment may be recommended during the initial healing period to help reduce swelling and encourage proper contouring. While mild discomfort, tightness, or numbness is normal in the early stages, these sensations typically subside as the area heals. Most patients feel confident retu ing to work and light social activities within two weeks, and truly love seeing their results unfold as the swelling fades and definition sharpens.

How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost in Sacramento, CA?

The cost of a Neck Lift in Sacramento, CA, typically ranges from $7,600 to $19,300, depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether it’s combined with other facial surgeries. This estimate includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility costs, and all standard follow-up visits. You’ll receive a more precise quote based on your specific goals and anatomy during your consultation with Dr. Daly. Transparent pricing is part of her patient-first philosophy, ensuring there are no surprises – just clarity and confidence in your investment.

Our Ethos

Why Choose Dr. Daly?

When you trust someone to change your facial appearance, you deserve a surgeon who prioritizes technical skill, artistry, compassion, and true listening. Dr. Lauren Daly, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Folsom, CA, brings a fresh, modern perspective to facial aesthetic surgery by customizing every procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. Known for her meticulous eye for balance and proportion, Dr. Daly’s approach avoids the “overdone” look and instead focuses on creating natural-looking enhancements that empower patients to feel beautiful and true to themselves.

Neck Lift FAQ’S

Most patients describe the recovery from a neck lift as more uncomfortable than painful. During surgery, you’ll be under anesthesia so that you won’t feel anything at all. In the days that follow, you may experience tightness, tende ess, and mild soreness in the treated area, especially when tu ing your head or speaking, but pain is typically well-managed with prescribed medications and cool compresses. Some numbness or tingling near the incisions is also common early on and fades as your nerves heal.
You can expect a series of appointments that support you before, during, and after your surgery. Most patients will have:
- One in-depth consultation to discuss goals, medical history, and surgical recommendations
- A pre-op appointment to review logistics, sign consents, take pre-operative photographs, and answer last-minute questions
- The surgery itself
- Several post-op check-ins over the weeks and months that follow. These visits allow Dr. Daly to monitor your healing, remove any necessary sutures, and ensure you love your results.
You’ll likely notice a difference in your neck contour within the first few weeks, but your final results will gradually come into focus over a few months as swelling fully subsides and the tissues settle. Most patients feel photo-ready around the 6- to 8-week mark, with optimal results typically appearing by the 4- to 6-month point. What’s especially rewarding about a neck lift is how naturally the changes unfold—you won’t look “done,” just refreshed and more defined. And because Dr. Daly focuses on subtle sculpting rather than dramatic overcorrection, your results will age gracefully alongside you.
Common pairings include a chin implant (to improve jawline projection), a facelift to address loose or aging skin of the face, or even a brow lift or eyelid surgery for full facial rejuvenation. In some cases, injectable treatments like dermal fillers or wrinkle relaxers are added post-operatively for subtle refinement. Dr. Daly will guide you through all your options and provide recommendations tailored to your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.
When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Daly, complications are rare and generally minimal. Possible risks include infection, scarring, hematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin), nerve injury, or prolonged swelling. In rare cases, temporary or permanent numbness in the neck can occur. Dr. Daly will review all safety considerations with you beforehand and provide you with practical instructions for a smooth recovery at home, allowing you to focus less on worry and more on your healing.

Get Started Today

Schedule Your Consultation

You deserve to feel confident in every angle, especially when it comes to something as defining as your neck and jawline. If you’re ready to explore how a neck lift could refresh your look and restore your sense of confidence, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lauren Daly in Folsom. Call us today to get started—or fill out our online form, and we’ll be in touch soon.

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